Coming to a Car Near You

Adapters, cables, and chargers are just a few of the many things that accompany us on our travels. Inevitably, we end up with a tangled mess of cords. If iSuppli is correct, however, the days of untangling cords before we can connect our iPod to the car is coming to an end.

For years, consumers have demanded better connectivity between our car’s audio system and our portable media players, especially our iPods. Auto makers are getting the message. In fact, 58% of car models released in 2009 are expected to offer an iPod connectivity feature option. For those of you who prefer a different type of fruit, automakers are expected to offer USB options on 1/3 of available options next year. “The automotive industry is at the point where in-vehicle technologies—or the lack of them—are influencing sales,” said Phil Magney, vice president of automotive research for iSuppli. “The charge toward greater technological integration has been led by car OEMs like Hyundai and Honda, which are making USB/iPod combination interfaces standard on many of their vehicles. It’s also been spurred by OEMs like Audi and Mercedes, which offer integrated Media Device Gateways that allow any device imaginable to integrate with a vehicle.”

iPod and USB connectivity isn’t the only option automakers are adding—Bluetooth is also a big hit. In fact, Bluetooth availability is expected to hit 82% with 2009 auto models.

With these connectivity features and the increasing availability of location based services, now’s as good as time as any to take that road trip you’ve been planning. Assuming, of course, you can afford the gas.